Crystal Palace's transfer activity is a real statement of intent

This time last year, Crystal Palace were preparing for their return to the top-flight of English football.

Having won the playoff jackpot, the Eagles were in a position to strengthen their squad ahead of what would surely be a tough campaign.

By the end of the summer transfer window, Ian Holloway had acquired a full match-day squads worth of new players.

This summer, however, the South London club seem to be buying much more sensibly - causing plenty of excitement among fans. Rather than buying loads of players of varying abilities - some of which didn't make the final 25-man squad for the 2013/14 season - Palace appear to be targeting players of a higher quality that are good enough to slot into the starting XI.

Caulker and Campbell double?

Several media outlets have stated that Cardiff City captain Steven Caulker could join the Eagles this week in a record £8 million deal. The centre-back would be a great addition to Tony Pulis' heroic backline, who played a major role in keeping the club in the top-flight last season.

The 22-year-old has reportedly been offered a a £42,000-a-week deal with the Eagles, which, again, shows that they mean business. He would likely feature alongside Scott Dann in the starting XI, but after the season Damien Delaney had, it would not be a surprise to see the Irishman still in-and-around the match-day squad.

Next up, Caulker's Cardiff City team mate Fraizer Campbell has reportedly had his buy-out clause of £600,000 met by Palace. The 26-year-old striker is still in contract negotiations with the club, but would surely relish the opportunity to return to the Premier League following Cardiff's relegation last season.

Again, Campbell is a signal that the Eagles mean business. He's not old, he's cheap and he can score goals. Admittedly he didn't notch too many last term (only six), but no Palace striker really scored the lion's share of the goals (Dwight Gayle scored seven league goals, midfielder Jason Puncheon and Marouane Chamakh both scored five).

For a sum like £600,000, Campbell would not be expected to top the league goalscoring charts but is more than capable of matching the strikers currently at the club. He would come as a great addition to the squad.

Sigurdsson excitement

In addition to the two Cardiff players, and perhaps most excitingly, Crystal Palace are said to be making another club-record bid of £8 million for Tottenham Hotspur's Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Incredibly, he is still only 24-years-old and seems to have been left in the lurch at Spurs somewhat. Following their recruitment of several attacking midfielders after Gareth Bale's departure, Sigurdsson has failed to feature as regularly as he had done the season before for the North London club.

He definitely offers an interesting option in the central attacking midfield slot if Palace were to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with wingers Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon potentially (read on) flanking him.

The Icelander is more than able to provide assists and chip in with goals from midfield and would be a real asset to the Eagles. He can join the attack and also spring counter-attacks by feeding their pacey wide men when they recover possession.

Zaha return?

Finally, Crystal Palace are continually being linked with a move for fan favourite Wilfried Zaha, and The Daily Express have reported that the 21-year-old has issued a 'come and get me' plea to his former club.

The winger would undoubtedly strengthen the Eagles' attack, offering endless pace on the counter-attack and skill when taking on full-backs. The youngster would almost certainly be welcomed back to Selhurst Park with open arms if the rumour were to become a reality.

And at a rumoured fee of between £7-10 million, it would be a decent bit of business on their part too.

If Palace continue in this vein, then they could well find themselves building on last season's impressive 11th-placed finish.

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DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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